Delta: Epidemic looms in Asaba over indiscriminate refuse dumps

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

Trouble of possible epidemic has unsettled residents of Asaba and its environs in Delta State following indiscriminate refuse dumps.
Though the state government had last week raised the fear of the unknown and cautioned on the consequences if the dumps by unknown persons continued unabated.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had during a media briefing in Asaba lamented the increasing rate of refuse dumps virtually in all areas of Asaba, warning that he would ensure offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the laws.
“I am personally sad with indiscriminate refuse dumps in the entire Asaba and everywhere is dirty and littered with refuse.
“This is certainly not fair and my administration will do everything possible to ensure offenders are prosecuted in accordance with the the laws, Asaba is not neat at present for indiscriminate refuse dumps”, Governor Okowa said
However, investigation revealed that many parts of Asaba such as Ezenei Avenue, Ogbeke square, Isioma Onyeobi way by General Post office, Ogbeogonogo market area, Ibusa road down,Nnebisi road and Koka Junction are littered with refuse dumps often emitting offensive odours.
Passerby including motorists are faced with untold emitting offensive odours likely epidemic as it persists
The residents, one of them, Mrs Rosemary Nnamdi who spoke to journalists in Asaba on Thursday, appealed to the officials of the state Ministry of Environment, Waste Management Board to come to their aid, regretting that the heap of refuse dumps portend epidemic If urgent steps are not taken to evacuate them.
“We are suffering the smells of unevaluated refuse dumps and the odour emitting from the refuse dumps portend epidemic to our lives and we are appealing to the state government and sanitation Officials to come to our aid”, Mrs Rosemary Nnamdi said.
Dr Lucky Adah , Director, Ministry of Environment in charge of waste Management who spoke to journalists in Asaba confirmed that the offenders would soon be brought to book, regretting that the situation was becoming too embarrassing in Asaba and its environs.
“In all the areas, drainages are clogged with refuse dumps by residents aside building on water ways, Rags used pure water seachet,empty cans , discarded wave on , remnants of foots, and human fasces are found,” Adah said.